“Heroes & Heroines of Oberlin: A Homecoming Celebration for the Tuskegee Airmen”

Monday June 12, 2017

I want to thank all the people that made Juneteenth Oberlin a success. I thank the administrators. I want to thank the city of Oberlin. I want to thank all those working through public works - electricians, those who help with water, those on the ground, those who set up and break down events. Thank you especially for those responsible for working in the cemetery, preparing the graves of John Ramsey and the Tuskegee Airmen, James Cannon and William A. Johnson Jr. I want to thank the police department for their help. I want to thank the workers at the UPS store. Also, I want to thank Martin Luther King Park for installing the Tuskegee Airmen monument and constantly working to move chairs and tables from place to place. I want to thank the news agencies and all the press, I especially want to thank Channel 3 for their coverage. I want to thank Oberlin College. I thank the building and grounds and concert sound. I thank the Bonner Center for Service and Learning for their scholars and funding support. I thank the Dean of Students Office. I especially want to thank printing services for all their work. I thank all the speakers and performers at Juneteenth especially Delbert Spurlock. I want to thank all individuals involved with ads and advertisements as well as the merchants that supply Juneteenth with merchandise, and those who help Juneteenth with equipment and the service organizations. Also, I want to show gratitude to the people who donated and who help make this event possible. I want to especially thank the community for all their support. Last but not least I would like to thank the Juneteenth Oberlin committee. I heard lots of feedback and people said that this year’s Juneteenth celebrations was even better. The only reason it was a success is because of the support the committee received. This is truly a community event.

All Day|5th US Colored Troops, The Black Cowboys Spinning and Weaving Demos, Food & More

“Heroes & Heroines of Oberlin:

A Homecoming Celebration for the Tuskegee Airmen”June 10, 2017﻿﻿

I want to thank all the people that made Juneteenth Oberlin a success. I thank the administrators. I want to thank the city of Oberlin. I want to thank all those working through public works - electricians, those who help with water, those on the ground, those who set up and break down events. I want to thank the police department for their help. I want to thank the workers at the UPS store. I want to thank the Oberlin public library's administrators as well as staff, they have been very important and supportive in the events. I want to thank the news agencies and all the press, I especily want to thank Channel 3 for their coverage. I want to thank Oberlin College. I thank the building and grounds and concert sound. I thank the Bonner Center for Service and Learning for their scholars and funding support. I thank the Dean of Students Office. I especially want to thank printing services for all their work. I thank all the speakers and performers at Juneteenth. I want to thank all the merchants that supply Juneteenth with merchandise, those who help Juneteenth with equipment and the service organizations and people who donated and who help make this event possible. I want to especially thank the community for all their support. Last but not least I would like to thank the Juneteenth Oberlin committee. I heard lots of feedback and people said it was one of the best Juneteenth celebrations. The only reason it was a success is because of the support the committee recieved. This is truly a community event.

Juneteenth or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last enslaved persons in Texas were freed. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation did not come in Texas until June 19, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863. And slavery in Delaware was not officially abolished until December, 1865.

Juneteenth symbolizes the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom. While its roots are in Texas, Juneteenth has become a day to celebrate freedom all over the United States.

Over twenty years ago, Adé Sharpley began the celebration of Juneteenth in Oberlin. Oberlin’s history of commitment to abolition and the cause of freedom makes Juneteenth the perfect holiday for this community.

On June 8, 2004, Oberlin City Council passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as an officially recognized day of commemoration and celebration for the city of Oberlin. Juneteenth Oberlin was incorporated that same year to facilitate and coordinate the community recognition, celebration, promotion, and understanding of Oberlin’s officially declared and established Juneteenth holiday.